Featured Videos

Ruff Draft

Artist: J DillaTitle: Ruff DraftRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton A musician’s death will inevitably cause debate over their unreleased work. The often incomplete music no longer has the artist to guide its exposure to the public, leaving record labels in the difficult position of faithfully carrying on the artist’s legacy while still releasing something […]

Popular Demand

Artist: Black MilkTitle: Popular DemandRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jessica Dufresne While most of the spotlight shines on the next big thing from the South, the East and the West, the Midwest has always quietly but consistently cranked out its share of potential stars. Next up, reppin’ the Motor City, is Black Milk with Popular […]

As The Tables Turn (DVD)

Artist: Rob SwiftTitle: As The Tables Turn (DVD)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine Along with DJ Q-Bert, Rob Swift is the face and hands of turntablism. The Jackson Heights, Queens native has evolved from Akinyele’s DJ to the spokesman of the X-Ecutioners to a true advocate of the turntable’s capability as a musical instrument. As the […]

Don’t Quit Your Day Job

Artist: ConsequenceTitle: Don’t Quit Your Day JobRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Aqua Consequence rhymes better than Kanye West. But we all know actual lyrical talent is only one aspect of rap success. On his very late debut, Don’t Quit Your Day Job (G.O.O.D./Columbia), the former A Tribe Called Quest affiliate asserts he indeed has a […]

Serve & Collect

Artist: Boss Hogg OutlawzTitle: Serve & CollectRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton Taking a break from his solo career on Star Trak/Geffen, Houston’s Slim Thug has reunited with his Boss Hogg Outlawz crew for Serve & Collect (Koch). A major label artist quietly releasing a group project might make some expect a glorified mixtape, but […]

Black Snake Moan (Film)

Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Black Snake Moan (Film)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Edwardo Jackson How do you follow an Oscar-nominated film about a pimp turned rapper? Why you make a film, Black Snake Moan (Paramount Classics) about a white girl chained up by a black man in the South, of course… Beyond this salacious setup-and the playfully […]

Street Fame

Artist: Twisted BlackTitle: Street FameRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine Dallas’ rap prospects looked pretty good at the end of 2006. Big Tuck signed a multi-million dollar deal with Universal while underground veteran Twisted Black caught the attention of TVT Records. Shortly thereafter, Black caught a bad one, and it appears as though Street Fame (TVT) […]

Renaissance Child

Artist: Hell RazahTitle: Renaissance ChildRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Adam Thomas What do you get when you mix an experienced street sound with a political voice? Hip-Hop’s version of the political pundit, and contrary to what the mainstream would tell you, there are many that use their music to get their thoughts out about the […]

Cocaine Cowboys (DVD)

Artist: DVD ReviewTitle: Cocaine Cowboys (DVD)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana Apparently, the real Noriega owes Rick Ross a hundred favors. But while we determine whether or not the Miami rapper’s lyrics are fictitious or not, let’s direct our attention to the rap Noreaga who personally endorsed the film Cocaine Cowboys (Magnolia Enterainment) in a […]

And Justus For All

Artist: Little Brother/Mick BoogieTitle: And Justus For AllRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios When you take into heavy consideration the great make up of Little Brother, you notice that the math just doesn’t quite add up. As the heirs to the Native Tongue dynasty, the North Carolina troop has dropped plenty of dope material […]

Collaborations

Artist: Jill ScottTitle: CollaborationsRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Aja In an effort to ward off zealots, the release of the compilation Collaborations (Hidden Beach) is sure to appease the hankerings of even the most passionate Jill Scott fans. As a bona fide collection of some of Jill’s most eclectic works, the trauma of having to purchase […]

Atlantis: Hymns for Disco

Artist: K-OsTitle: Atlantis: Hymns for DiscoRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Rodney Dugue His name is K-OS (Knowledge of Self) and he raps frighteningly well with a conscience cadence and a demagogue’s virtue. That’s all you should care to know. Really. It’s a shame everything is closeted and cost-effective; he’s fluffily content with cheap ambition because […]

Lovework

Artist: Gabriel TeodrosTitle: LoveworkRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jason NewmanPerhaps the most telling line from Seattle emcee Gabriel Teodros’ Lovework (Massline) comes from “In This Together,” when he rhymes “There’s so many raps labeled as conscious out there/A label people get no matter what they share.” After a few listens all the way through, it’s […]

ABBRACADAMN!!!

Artist: Clan DestinedTitle: ABBRACADAMN!!!Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Adam Thomas North Carolina has been abuzz on the underground scene for a long time. The most prominent example would be Little Brother, which dropped a indie classic in 2002’s The Listening. Now, five years later, there is a group that is trying to match that success. Known […]

The Best Of N.W.A

Artist: N.W.ATitle: The Best Of N.W.ARating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana A quick search on amazon.com will reveal that an N.W.A greatest hits CD has been done over a decade ago. So, to what do we owe this sudden Priority release? Dre is still gainfully employed off his Pro Tools. Cube is still living fruitfully […]